A newly opened French-Moroccan restaurant in Toronto is changing the way the city looks at Halal dining, one dish at a time
If you’ve found yourself in Cabbagetown lately, there’s a good chance you’ve noticed the vibrant facade at Rayah, the neighbourhood’s newest spot for a distinct blend of French and Moroccan cuisine, with its firetruck red exterior and striped awnings.
Inside, the scene is equally as vibrant. Decked out in Moroccan zellige tiles, vintage French posters, striped banquettes, and even a 1983 Moroccan Grand Taxi, a step into the restaurant transports you directly into a space entirely its own, suspended halfway between Paris and Casablanca — and that’s precisely by its founder’s design.
In a city that’s overrun with buzzy, trend-optimized concepts from major hospitality companies, it’s always refreshing to see a newcomer on the scene break through the noise, and that’s exactly the case with Rayah.
The restaurant was founded by first-time restaurateur Wafa El Rhazi, who was born in Paris to a Moroccan father and Algerian mother. Growing up, North African cuisine was a staple in her home, while French influences naturally seeped into her culinary world.
After spending her early adult life pursuing a tech career, Wafa moved to Toronto with her family to pursue the real dream: creating a one-of-a-kind space in the city that pays homage to the culinary tapestry of her childhood.
In opening Rayah at the end of May, that dream has been realized.
“Rayah has always been about bringing both sides of me together,” says Wafa. “I’m French and Moroccan, and I wanted to create a place that feels like both, where you can order a croissant or a lamb tagine, and halal food is simply part of the experience.”
Halal food, as it stands in Toronto, is typically (though not necessarily accurately) associated with quick-service dining; shawarma joints and roti takeout. At Rayah, though, that the food is entirely Halal is simply a byproduct of its authenticity, but it’s available within a holistic dining experience.
The restaurant is open as a cafe every morning (brunch service is on the way soon) and transitions to dinner service at night, bringing out an entirely new suite of offerings that deftly meld French and Moroccan cuisines.
In the mornings, you can expect a fully stocked bakery counter brimming with French staples like almond croissants and brioches, as well as Moroccan specialties like msemmen crepes, while for dinner the specialties include couscous royale, described as “the most Parisian of couscous dishes,” and lamb and prune tajine.
There’s also a full suite of refreshing, fruity mocktails on the menu, paying homage to Morocco’s innately alcohol-free culture, while still giving diners the chance to sip on something more complex than mint tea, which, of course, is available in abundance.
“I don’t drink, and I used to envy the fun of cocktails, the shaker, the garnish, the glass, so I wanted our mocktails to feel just as thoughtful,” Wafa says.
“For me, Rayah is about making everyone feel at home, wherever they are from.”
Rayah is located at 507 Parliament Street.
